Subgrader



SUBGRADER @riginal Filed Deo. 2, 1931 F. J. LEYDECKER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Allain/iig?.

Oct 30, 1934. F. J. I EYDI-:cKx-:R

SUBGRADER Original Filed Deo. 2. 195i 2 Sheetswheet 2 Patented Oct. 30, 1934 y 1,973,464AI SUBGRADER Frederick J. Leydecker, EastAurora, N. Y. y

Application December 2, 1931?-Serial No. 578,495

Renewed l J uly.j 53,. 1934 Y 25 Claims. (Cl." 37e-108) This" invention relates to machines `used` in` the construction'lof roads and pavements, and particularlyto machines `or devices'ior"preparing thersub-grade or foundation on whichfthe pavel ment is laid.

An'object of the invention is to improve and simplify sub-gradingA tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved sub-grader with which the sub-grade 10,' may be rapidly prepared for the pavement with a minimum of labor and expense; which may be easily adjusted for different thicknesses of` pavement; with which the grading tool may be easily replaced; which is relatively lightand compact,

l so `as to be easily transported to and from the jobs-where it is to be used; and whichwill be relatively simple, lightypracticaland durable -in construction, and relatively inexpensive.

'Various other objects and advantages willzappear from the following description of one-ern-k bodiment ofthe invention, and the novel features will be i particularly pointed out hereinafter :in connection with the appended claims@V In the accompanying drawings:

.25 Fig. 1 is a plan of a'sub-grader constructed in.

VFg.` itis another sectional elevation of the:

same,l the section being taken approximately alongthe line 4-4 of Fig. l;

` Fig-.5 is a sideelevation ofthe same, withpthe tool in operative position;

Fig.- 6 is a sectional elevation ofthe same, with` the section taken approxrnately along the line 6 6, but with the grading tool in inoperative position;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional elevation of part of-the same, the section beingftaken approxi-- mately along the line 7-7 of Fig. 1; land `Fig.8 is a sectional elevation through oneof the supporting and guidingelements.

In theillustrated embodiment of the invention, the improved grader includes: a .rodor axle.,10

'extendingcrosswise of the roadwayon Vwhichzthe 5o pavement is to be laid. li'langed `rollers or Wheels v11iarerotatably mounted uponY the ends of the rod or axle, and these wheelsare supported upon and roll along the rails orfforms `12 lwhich denne the lside edges of the strip of-pavement to be laid. The pavements are commonly laid of,

`standard Widthsfand the rails l2 along the sides of such Widths serve as tracks to guide the wheels 11. A sub-frame 13 which may, for conveniencefbea channel bar, extends lengthwisey along therod or axle 10. Y 60 U-shapedibolts 14 pass around the rod or axle and through transversely extending slots 15 in the Vchannel bar,` and serve to clamp the rod or axle adjustably to the channel bar. Washer plates- 16 are preferably disposed over the slots65L l5 on-both faces of the channel bar, andthe arms ofthe :U-sliaped bolts 14pass through ap.i erturesin the-plates 16. The slots 15 extend; transversely of the length of the channel bar,`

so that the bolts 14 may be adjusted vertically'fm ontransversely ofthe channel bar to some extent. The-ends of the bolts `14 carry nuts 17 by which thebolts and axle may be clamped securely to` the channel bar, in dilferent.positions of adjustment; -75 A grading tool 18 is'removably secured to the lower edge portion of the sub-frameor channel' bar 13, so as to depend below the lower edge thereof and perform thel actual grading operation. This tool 18 may be any tool that is suitable forgo preparing the sub-grade, and in the particular example illustrated, is a scraper `blade which levels off V-the sub-grade at the-desired distance below. the -upper edges of the rails that determine the` upper level ofthe pavement. The sub-,frame 13 '85k is normally 4used While in `an upright or approximately vertical position, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and 'Land its upper edge serves as a rockingfulcrum or support for the mainframe 19.`

'Ihismain frame includes a plurality of angle 90, bars arranged side by side but'spaced apart'and extending generally in the direction in which the grader-moves `as it travels along the rails .12. These angle bars are connected at their rear ends and at an intermediate point bycross bars 20; The outer bars of vthe frameforwardly of that intermediate point are benttowardone anothen, so `as to converge for connection to one another and to a coupling plate21 having-an eye 22, by which the grader vmay be connected to adraft 100 device, suchas `a tractor. The side bars of the, main frame 19 are provided with pairs-of dependingspaced flanges 23,'betvveen which the upper edge of the `sub-frame or channel bar is received, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. These flanges ,23, one pair on each side of the main frame, prevent displacement or translation` of the channel ,bar lengthwise of the main frame While permitting the rockingof the `corner edge of `the channel-bar against the.under faceA of` the i main frame.

Cil

In order that the channel bar may swing 'upwardly and forwardly, it is positioned with its open4 face rearwardly,` and the webof the channel bar is provided with apertures 24 in alignment with the forward flanges 23, so that those flanges may pass through those apertures as the lower edge of the channel bar swings upwardly and forwardly into the position shown in Fig. 6. The main frame thus rests upon the upper edge of the sub-frame or channel bar, and in order to prevent separation of the two frames, angular or L.shaped brackets 25 (Figs. 1, 5 and. 7) are secured to the sub-frame or the channel bar, so as to extend upwardly therefrom and then laterally over the side bars of the main frame 19. These L-shaped angular brackets are spaced from the main frame somewhat when the sub-frame is in operative position, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 and 7, so that the sub-frame may rock into the inoperative position shown in Fig. 6.

Arms 26 are secured, such as by bolts 27, to the rear face of the sub-frame or channel bar and extend upwardly therefrom through and above the main frame. The upper ends of these arms are connected adjustably, such as by chains 28, to the rear end of the frame. These-chains limit the oscillation of the sub-frame from the inoperative, inclined position shown in Fig. 6 into the operative, approximately upright, position shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and 7. Helical springs 29 are connected to the lower ends of the arms 26, and to the main frame 19, so as to urge the sub-frame or channel bar yieldingly and resiliently into the operative position, shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and 7,

until limited by the chains 28.

The rollers 11 may be removably confined on the ends of the rod or axle 10, by collars 30 which are removably secured to the ends of the rod or axle 10 by tapered pins 31 that pass transversely through the rod or axle and the collar. Each wheel or roller 11 may be provided with a brass or other bearing in the form of a lining sleeve, as shown in Fig. 8.

To facilitate the vertical adjustment of the sub-frame on the axle, 1 preferably place bearing blocks 32 on the rod or axle 10, at approximately the ends of the sub-frame and abutting the rear face of the latter. The rod or axle 10 is rotatable in these blocks, and the latter moves transversely of the sub-frame. Screws 33 are threaded through the upper flange of the channel bar 13, and abut at their lower ends in recesses in the bearing blocks 32. By turning the screws 33, they will be threaded through the channel bar flange, and will force the bearing blocks 32 downwardly, which is the equivalent of raising the channel bar since the axle is supported on the rails and therefore cannot descend. By turning screws 33, therefore, the grader tool 18 will be elevated, and if the screws 33 are turned diiferent amounts at the opposite ends of the frame, the tool 18 may be leveled or given an inclination as desired.

In leveling or adjusting the tool 18 by the turning of the screws 33, it will be understood that nuts 17 should rst be slightly loosened and the frame or channel bar 13 lowered to an extent greater than that desired. The nuts 17 are then tightened slightly so as to create some friction between the plates 16 and the web of the channel bar which will be sufficient to hold the axle and the channel bar against relative movement, but which may be overcome when the screws 33 are turned. The screws 33 are then turned to elevate the sub-frame relatively to the axle 10, until the lower edge of the tool is exactly level or has a desired inclination, and is at the proper depth below the upper edges of the rails or forms 12 along which the wheels l1 roll. The nuts 17 are then tightened so as to clamp the axle and sub-frame securely together. The lock nuts 34 on the screws 33 may then be tightened against the upper iiange of the channel bar, so as to lock the screws against accidental turning.

In the use of such a grading tool, the wheels 11 are disposed upon the pavement forms 12, so as to bridge the strip where the pavement is to be laid. After one strip has been laid, the inner edge of that strip serves as a form for the next adjacent strip, and therefore an edge of the pavement strip may function as rail along which one of the rollers 11 may travel. The tool 18 is adjusted to the proper depth in the manner explained above, and the forward end or coupling is attached to a truck or other device which draws the grader along the rails or pavement forms which dene the limits of the strip of pavement to be laid. The springs 29 rock the sub-frame into its upright or operative position and the chains 28 limit movement beyond this operative position.

The levelof support of the wheels 1l is shown in ig. 5 by the dot and dash line and the level or depth of cut cy the tool i8 is shown by the dot and dash line in the same figure. 1f for any reason it is desired to elevate the tool into an in operative position the upper ends of the arms 26 are pulled rearwardly or downwardly and may be secured in that position by the chains 28, or by any other suitable means. When the subframe is shifted into this inoperative position, the springs 29 will be tensioned to a greater extent, and tend to return the sub-frame to its operative position when the arms 26 are released. The subframe may be considered as a hinged or pivoted section of the entire frame. The axle l0, wheels 11, sub-frarne 13, and main frame i3 constitute a two wheel car or unit, and are referred to as such in the claims.

It will be obvious that various changes in the detils, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A. sub-grader comprising a frame, supportmeans for aid frame and including flanged wheels at oppositesides or" said frame which with Ythe frame form a two wheel car for operation upon the pavement denning forms as a track, and

a sub-grader tool extending in a lr ecton cross-- wise of the track; approximately between said wheels, said frame having means mounting said tool for oscillatory swinging movement about a horizontal axis closely adjacent carry the lower edge of the tool upwardly and downwardly, and for additionally and separately adjusting each end of said tool vertically with respect to swinging axis and independently of the other to change the inclination of the lower end of the tool.

2. A sub-grader comprising frame, means supporting said frame, including a pair oi' flanged wheels at opposite sides of thc frame, free to ro-- tate at all times and forming a two wheel car for operation upon the usual pavement defini forms as tracks, said freine having a pivoter section movable about a horizontal ai 's that extends transversely of the pavement Y roxirnately at the wheels and also adjustable vertically with re- .he wheels to s spectxto: saidtwheels', and Vz-.a `subz-graderl toolv mounted Son said tpivoted i'section; f or oscillatory movement ytherewith betweentan operative posi.- tionfinwvhichiit depends belowthe tread level of `thellvvheels'fandlzan finoperativevposition at a higherV level, fand tmeansz` for limiting 'rearward oscillatorymovement ofsaid pivoted-section'.

. 3,:A- sub-gradersl comprisingfa frame, means supporting said frame, including 'a pair` `of flanged wheels atoppositeisides of `the frame, for operationuponthe'usual pavement Adefining forms as` tracksysaidzframeihavinga pivoted section movable about "a horizontaLaxis that extendstransverselyv'of. the pavement, a sub-grader tool eration upon the usualipavement denning forms aswtracksVsaid framehaving` a pivoted section.

movable about a `horizontal axis that extends transversely of the pavement;` aLsub-grader tool mountedconsaid pivoted section for movement between an4 operativepositionA in kwhich it dependswbelowlthe tread level of the wheels and an inoperative" position at` ahigher level, and means for ladjustingisaid .tool on said pivoted section to different: levels below said wheels.:

5..,A sub-grader comprising4 a frame, means supporting `said frame; including .apair of iianged wheels at oppositeksides of the 4frame, `for opera-.- 11' tion upon'the .usual` pavement 'dening forms as tracks,: said frame having a pivotedsection movableabouta horizontal axis thatv extends transversely of. 'the`V pavement,A a vsub-graderv tool` mounted on" said pivoted section 44Vfor movement a" between anloperativeposition in whichiit dependswbelowfthetread'level of the wheels and an inoperative position ata higher level, and means fonadjusting saidttool on said pivoted'section to differenttlevels fbelowlV said wheels, saidl adjustingf means beingioperable ytov adjust opposite ends of saidutool equalror, different amounts.

6."A sub-grader comprisingan axle extending in a direction'crosswise of the length of pavement to `be laid and havingflanged wheels operable uponthe pavement defining forms astracks,V a sub-frame mounted onsaid axle for. oscillation about @the axis ofssaidaxle, a mainframe Vrockably connectedtoI said sub-frame Y and formed at one end for attachment to a draft device-,v a gradingtoolmounted onlsaidsub-frame for oscillationftherewithibetween an inoperative, somewhat horizontal position, and a depending. operative position, and means for limiting the oscillation ofv saidsub-frame beyond said operative position.

'l'. Afsub-grader comprising an axle, flanged Wheelsupon the ends of said axle and operable.`

' upon the pavement dening forms as tracks, with the axle extending transversely of "said pavement form'a'fasub-frame supported `by said axle and.

oscillatable about the axis of said axle, a main frame rockably connected to said sub-frame for support therefrom, a grading tool mounted on said sub-frame so as `to' depend therefrom when thesub-frame is in one -oscillatoryposition' and t movablelupwardly into inoperative position upon rocking. of said `sub-frame,` means `limiting i the f rocking of :said:sub-framerabeyond said opera'- tiveY position?whendependingy andv meansl for adjusting.saidxsub-frameonz.said axle to positit'misaidttool,` at a desired depth andzinclination;

8. A sub-grader.:` comprising an axle, flanged wheelsupontheends of said axle and operable upon the pavement defining forms as tracks, with theaxle Vextending transversely of `said pavementsfforms, asub-frame supported by said axle and .oscillatablei'aboutthe axisI of said axle,. a main?? frame rockably connected to saidV subframerfortsupport therefrom, a grading tool mounted'on said sub-frame so as to depend 'therefrom when .the sub-frame is in one oscillatoryV position and: movable upwardly into inoperative'position ilupon rocking of said sub-frame; means limiting the rocking f of isaidv f sub-frame beyond said operative position when depending,

means for adjusting saidsub-frame on said axlev to position said tool at a vdesired depth and inclination, andmeans `yieldinglyurging said subframe into said operative position.

9. A sub-gradercomprising amain frame havingY apair of depending flanges at each side,

the flanges ofV each pair being spaced forwardly` and rearwardly of one another,v a sub-frame disposed beneath said main frame so as to extend from side to sidethereof' and extending into the space `between eachpair of anges, and

upon;V which said main frame rests and rocks,

said` sub-frame i having an open section clearing corresponding flangesof each pair `to enable the sub-frame to be rocked from a depending position in a direction toward `a horizontal position,

an axleextendinglengthwise of said sub-frame and crosswise of the main frame, flanged wheels mounted on the ends of said axle and operable upon thel pavement defining formsV as tracks,

means securing said sub-frame, between its upper andlower edges,.to said axle so as to oscillate about' the axis of said axle, and means acting between said frames for limiting the rocking of said sub-frame inone direction beyond its depending, operative position.

10. A sub-grader comprisinga main frame having a pair of depending iianges at each side, the flanges of each pair being spaced forwardly and rearwardly of one-another, a sub-frame disposed beneathrsaid main frame so as to extend from"- side to side thereof and extending into the space l between each pairof anges, and upon which said main frame rests-and rocks, said sub-frame having Aan open section clearing correspondingl flanges of .each pair to enable the sub-frame to A befrocked' from a depending position in a direction toward a horizontal position, an'axle extending'lengthwise of Vsaid sub-frame and crosswise of-themain frame, flanged wheels mounted on the ends of said.V axlef and operable upon the pavement deiining forms as tracks, means securing said-sub-frame, between its upper and lower edges, to said axleso asto oscillate about the axis of said'axle, means acting between said frames for limiting therocking of said subramein one direction beyond its depending, op:- erative position, and means yieldingly urging said sub-rame-fin said one direction into its depending position.

ll.` A sub-grader comprising an axle extending crosswise of a pavement to be laid, flanged wheels on the endsof saidaxle and rolling upon the usual pavement defining forms deiining: the width of the pavement, aframe extending lengthwise` ofthe axle and attached thereto,` means for adjusting said frame in directions laterally of said axle at different points along said axle, a grading tool mounted on said frame so as to depend below said axle, and means connected to said frame for holding it in operative position in which the tool depends therefrom, and for drawing said frame and axle along said pavement forms.

12. A sub-grader comprising an axle extending crosswise along the pavement to be laid, means carried by the ends of said axle and running upon the pavement forms which define the width ci the pavement to be laid, a frame attached to said axle and adjustable laterally thereon, a grading tool carried by and depending from said flange, so as to be leveled or adjusted by the adjustment of said frame with respect to said axle, means connected to said frame for drawing it and said axle along said pavement forms and holding said frame in operative position with the tool depending therefrom.

13. A subgrader comprising a main frame, a sub-frame depending beneath and having a rockable connection to said main frame, an axle carried by said sub-frame below said main frame and extending crosswise of the pavement to be laid, guide means at the ends of said axle coacting with the pavement forms that dene the width of the pavement to be laid, to guide said' axle in movement along said pavement forms, and means for limiting the rearward movement of said tool and sub-frame beyond an operative position in which the tool depends from the axle.

14. A sub-grader comprising a car unit extending crosswise of the pavement to be laid, and having at each side a single element guided by a pavement form which deiines the width of the pavement to be laid, and a grading tool extending between said forms at said elements and depending below the upper edges of the forms, said unit having means by which said tool may be mounted and adjusted vertically at opposite ends with respect to said elements for leveling and determining the depth of the cut of said tool and swing forwardly and upwardly into inoperative position.

15. A sub-grader comprising a frame formed at one end for attachment to a draft device, means attached to said frame and cooperating with the pavement forms that deline the width of the pavement to be laid, for guiding the frame along the pavement forms, a grading tool carried by said frame so as to depend below said frame and extend between said forms, said frame having an adjustable section which mounts the tool for shifting said tool from a depending operative position into an elevated position, and means for limiting the downward and rearward movement of said tool through the movement of said adjustable section of said frame.

16. A sub-grader comprising a rod extending cross-wise of the pavement to be laid, means carried by the ends of said rod and guided and supported by the usual pavement forms defining the width of the pavement to be laid, a sub-frame extending along said rod, clamping means attaching said rod to said frame and having limited adjustment in a direction crosswise of said rod, whereby limited adjustment of said frame crosswise of said rod is possible, a grading tool attached to and depending from said frame, and means connected to said frame by which it may be drawn along said pavement forms.

17. A sub-grader comprising a rod extending crosswise of the pavement to be laid, means carried by the ends or" said rod and guided and supported by the usual pavement forms defining the width of the pavement to be laid, a sub-frame extending alcng said rod, clamping means attaching said rod to said frame and having limited adjustment in a direction crosswise of said rod, whereby limited adjustment of said frame crosswise of said rod is possible, a grading tool attached to and depending from said frame, means connected to said frame by which it may be drawn along said pavement forms, and a screw device acting between said frame and rod for causing relative lateral adjustment of said frame and rod, while said clamping means is slackened somewhat.

18. A sub-grader comprising a sub-frame, means attached to said sub-frame and running upon the pavement forms that define the width of the pavement to be laid, a tool carried by said frame, depending into the space between said pavement forms and extending approximately across the space between said forms along opposite side of the pavement which is to be laid, a frame having a rockable connection to said sub-frame by which said tool may be oscillated from a depending operating position into raised inoperative position, and means limiting the rocking movement of said sub-frame beyond its operative depending position as said tool oscillates downwardly into operative position.

19. A sub-grader comprising a frame having guide means running upon the pavement forms that denne the width of the pavement to be laid, said frame having a depending pivoted section between said guide means and adjustable vertically with respect to said guide means, a tool carried by said pivoted section and oscillatable into different depending positions below said frame, stop means for limiting downward and rearward mov-ement of said tool with said section, and means yieldingly urging said pivoted section rearwardly and downwardly into any of said depending positions until stopped by said stop means.

20. A sub-grader comprising a frame having guide means running upon the pavement forms that deiine the width of the pavement to be laid, said frame having a depending pivoted section between said guide means, a tool carried by said pivoted section and oscillatable therewith downwardly and rearwardly into different depending positions below said frame, and adjustable means limiting the downward and rearward pivotal movement of said tool beyond an approximately vertical position, and having no restriction upon the upward and forward movement of said tool and section, whereby the tool is free to be quickly and easily elevated in a forward direction, and when released will descend rearwardly to a predetermined position.

21. A sub-grader comprising an axle, a pair of wheels on the ends of said axle and free to roll at all times upon the usual pavement defining forms as a track, a frame unit adjustable vertically upon and carried by said axle to form a two wheel car, and a tool extending approximately between and depending below said wheels and mounted by said car for movement therewith and swingable freely back and forth in an arc less than a complete rotation to elevate or lower its lower edge, and means for limiting rearward swinging of said tool beyond a selected position in which it depends below said wheels.

22, A sub-grader comprising a tool extending crosswise of and approximately between a pair of pavement, dening forms, and a car, with a coupling at its forward end, operating along said forms as a track, and means for adjustably mounting said Ytool on said car to depend below the upper surfaces of said forms upon which the car runs, and for movement to vary the depth to which said tool depends below said upper surfaces, and to swing the lower edge of said tool forwardly and upwardly into an inoperative position.

23. A sub-grader comprising a tool extending crosswise of and approximately between a pair of pavement defining forms, a car, with a coupling at its forward end, operating along said forms as a track, and means for adjustably mounting said tool on said car to depend below the upper surfaces of said forms upon which the car runs, and for movement to vary the depth to which said tool depends below said upper surfaces, and for additional and separate movement to swing the lower edge of said tool forwardly and upwardly into an inoperative position, and adjustable means limiting the downward and rearward swing of said tool into operative position.

24. A sub-grader comprising a tool extending crosswise of and approximately between a pair of pavement defining forms, a car, with a coupling at its forward end, operating along said forms as a track, and means for adjustably mounting said tool on said car to depend below the upper surfaces of said forms upon which the car runs, and for movement to vary the depth to which said tool depends below said upper surfaces, and for additional and separate swinging movement to carry the lower edge of said tool forwardly and upwardly into an inoperative position, means for limiting the downward and rearward swing of said tool beyond a desired operative position, and means for urging said tool yieldingly to swing in a direction to carry said lower edge rearwardly and downwardly into operative position when released.

25. A grader comprising a car movable over a section to be graded, a frame hinged to said car for movement bodily therewith and depending therefrom, a grading tool carried by the lower edge of said frame and freely swingable with said frame from a depending operative position upwardly and forwardly with respect to its movement when in use for grading, into an elevated, inoperative position, and also downwardly and rearwardly back into operative, depending position, means for limiting such downward and rearward movement of the tool and frame and having no restriction upon the upward and forward movement of said tool, whereby the tool is free to be quickly and easily elevated in a forward direction, and when released will descend rearwardly to a predetermined operative position.

FREDERICK J. LEYDECKER. 

